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Chapter 3

Hoshi sat at her console wishing she could concentrate.  Her head throbbed from stress, and her eyes felt like lead.  She couldn't wait for the shift to be over.  She tried to glance nonchalantly back at the Captain but the minute she turned his eyes locked onto hers.  She attempted a smile at him but he became engrossed in something on his chair arm's console. 

God he hates me.  He can't even look at me.  Am I that repulsive?  I think there would be worse things to wake up to than me.  He could've woken up to Malcolm.

She looked over at the armory officer.  He looked up at her and she had to contain her own laughter.  It ended up coming out as a sort of hiccup.

"Is everything alright, Ensign?"  T'Pol asked.

"Fine, thank you," she answered, turning around to face the Sub Commander.  She went back to typing at her console.

Jon sat poking at his arm console, bringing up old data that he didn't really need. If I keep staring at her she is going to file charges of sexual harassment.  Oh great.  I didn't even think of that.  I'm the commanding officer of the first Starship and I get accused of harassment.  Why is she smiling at Malcolm?  Are they dating?

He felt a strong urge to squash the Lieutenant.  Reed looked up at him and he gave him an annoyed look.  Reed started, which made Jon feel bad.  So he smiled instead.  Malcolm smiled back hesitantly.

"I am going to be in my ready room.  T'Pol, you have the Bridge."

Archer slumped down to his chair in his ready room. 

"Phlox to Archer."

"Yes, Doctor."

"Your results are back.  I would like to see you and Ensign Sato right away."

"On our way."

He walked back onto the Bridge.

"Hoshi, we'e needed in Sickbay."

She stood and they stepped onto the lift.  The doors closed.

"Does anyone else think the last 10 minutes here have been a little odd?"  Malcolm asked.   

*** 

"It seems you and Ensign Sato have contracted questsubarthia.  I have never seen the disease in humans.  Quite fascinating actually.  It affects the neurological pathways. It prevents the mind from controlling its more immediate impulses. Simply put, your subconscious mind acts as your conscious mind. Therefore you act out in ways that your conscious mind customarily will not allow. In your species the subconscious is most active when sleeping.  Which might explain why you woke up together."  He smiled at them.

Jon and Hoshi looked at each other and then back to the doctor. 

"How did we get it?" Jon asked. 

"The disease is usually an airborne virus.  My guess would be our visit Ruiannian people."

"Why didn't you discover it when we returned?"

"Before it becomes active in the host, it can be virtually undetectable if a patient isn't tested for it specifically. Humans have never been known to contract this virus; I had no reason to suspect it might appear now."

"Why haven't the rest of the away team been affected?"

"Most likely they have simply not exhibited signs yet. I will be calling them all in for tests."

Hoshi asked nervously "Will it hurt us?" 

"I do not believe it will; it is generally harmless in most species. I am not certain of what affect it will have on the human brain. I will be keeping an eye on you.  "

"You do that."  Jon sighed and looked at Hoshi. He watched her for a moment and then said "Thank you Doctor."  He walked out of Sickbay. Jumping to her feet Hoshi ran after him.  Why I am chasing him?

"Captain, wait." 

He stopped and turned back to her. 

"It is a little strange, not knowing what you're going to do next, isn't it?"  She smiled at him.

He frowned.  "Yes, it's not an idea I'm comfortable with."   He continued walking down the hall.

Walking beside him Hoshi said, "I don't know why I ended up in your quarters."

He said.  "Yeah, that was a little bizarre. But I would've had to have let you in."

"I'm sure it was just a one time thing.  Maybe I see you in a paternal role." 

Why did I say that?

Archer frowned.  "Yes, that must be it."  He started toward the lift again.

She sees me as a father.  When is this day going to end?

"I guess we should get back to work."  He finally said.

She followed him back to the bridge.

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